The War Powers Act is emerging as a critical litmus test for the Trump administration’s Iran policy following its precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites, “Operation Midnight Hammer,” conducted without congressional approval. The Saturday operation, a massive B-2 bomber strike that hit Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, is being defended by officials as a limited, targeted effort against nuclear weaponization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Vance emphasized that the strike was against Iran’s nuclear program, not the nation itself, and would not lead to prolonged conflict.
Rubio explained on “Face The Nation” that the strike aimed to “degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions.” Vance, on “Meet The Press,” cited the President’s “clear authority” to prevent WMD proliferation, assuring that this engagement would be decisive.
However, the lack of congressional consultation has drawn sharp criticism. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, co-author of a bipartisan War Powers Resolution, lambasted the administration on “Face The Nation,” arguing that “no imminent threat to the United States” existed to justify bypassing Congress. He criticized lawmakers for not addressing the issue before the strike.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, quickly voiced his support for Trump on X, stating that “leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency” and the “imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act.” He also maintained Trump’s respect for Congress’s Article I powers. Nevertheless, top Democrats, reportedly kept in the dark until after the operation, labeled the strike illegal. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) warned on CBS of increased risks for American troops and asserted that the scale of the attack constituted “hostilities” requiring congressional approval. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) agreed, emphasizing the absence of an “imminent threat” to justify the heightened danger to U.S. forces.